The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1887-07-16
FROM SPIRIT LAND.

As q sequel TO Q former com munication IN
the Eureka Sentinel, John T. Baker, writing
from Ruby Valley, Elko county under date Of
July LIST, tells the following extraordinary
story. Whether John II. has gone daft or
has imbibed too freely Of Tom Shorts "cruis-
KEEN" we are unable to say, but Que or the
other ails him:
Editor Sentinel: As intimated In my former
letter, now proceed to give you the result 81
my second visit to this somewhat notorious
and very remarkable cave. / wish 10 state st
the outset that my observation of, and CONVEX
sation with this mysterious being, call him
ghost. spirit or mortal man, as you please,
have changed my belief In things spiritual or
supernatural, which belief con sidered as firm
az the rock of Gibraltor. As far back as can
remember, have always treated with ridi-
cule and derision any suggestion Of things
supernatural, but find first by a somewhat
frightful, and later, more pleasant experience,
that was wrong in my dogmatic Ideas, ard
that spirits do exist
In my second interview the soldier told me
that although he had all the appearance of
material being, that In fact 1t was only in form
and appearances; that there was no tangible
substance composing his form as it appeared
This demonstrated to be true TO my entire
satisfaction, by placing my hand on his arm,
as supposed, but mY hand met no resisting
substance. any more than passing your hand
through sunbeam, passing through an orlfce
into darkencd room. lie went on TO say that
he had the power " speech, which Is SOME
thing very rare among the spirits; that seine
communicate to people on earth by means Of
raps, some BY writing, and in various ways;
that he had the power to speak. but did not
know how leng it would continue; that he had
seen Tom Short, Gay Dawley and Nucky
Smith in the cave together. and therefore did
net make his appearance, but that I was the
nrst man he ever saw alone. He stated furth-
er that he enlisted In the regular army In 1851,
at Fort Leavenwerth, Kansas. and supposed
that be would be sent south, but was not; that
he remained at Fort Leavenworth for year
o. more, and was sent to Fort Bridger, In Wy
oming Territory: from there 10 Salt Lake. and
then to Fort Ruby. or rather to help build Fort
Ruby. After the fort was ompletsd the
soldiers had but little to do. and he frequently
get leave of absense for day or so al q time,
and he spent the time thus obtained in visit
ing among the settlers in the valley, and nnalIy
got deeply, irreyocably and passionatcly in
love with the beautiful daughter Of q rancher
in the vicinity He was looked upon with
favor by the ladv's par MS, aud with loving
fondness by The lady herself. and his happiness
was Tor time complete, and he hoped and
wished with a longing anxiety when his i've
years term ef service would expire, when he
would claim the object OF his affections. the
hope aud JOY of his life. But cruel fate do
creed that This anticipated happiness WAS not
in store for him. Said he: Our Post Command
er, Colonel Moore, learning Of the state of
affairs, and being an spirant for the lady's
affections himself, and jealous of attentions in
that direction. absolutely refused me further
leave Of absense for a sufficient length Of time
TO enable me to see or speak to her. who was
my all ia all ON earth. could net even have
an opportunity TO communicate with her by
lcttor. She could not understand the reason
for my long absence from her side without any
word Of explanation, and to cap the climax,
ard to further an invidious design, II was re-
ported to this posr eon1dins girl that | had
been missing some two Or three months, aud
that must have been either killed by the
Indians or deserted. The girl, en- hearing this
was frantic with grief, to such an extent that
her parents sold out the ranch and went East.
This was all related 10 me by a scout, who Wis
tied our post sometime after the family had
left. They left no clue as to where they went.
On learning this was wild, maddened, crazed.
| cared not whether lived or died; the world
was then but the dark outline Of an unfinished
picture. I came to this cave with some OF
my comrades for the express purpose of end
ing my existence, though wished to conceal
IL from my companions, and have them think
IL was an accident drank some liquor to
brace me up, but gned to be too much in
toxicated to carry GU my object. made the
plunge. knowing that would not come back
alive, neither would l II could. John May
hew will verify my statement in regard to Col.
Moore's tyranny. and Nucky Smith WAS along
with us the day this spirit toek its flight.
Since have been in the spirit land I have
learned of ny lost love. In time she get over
her grief and married trapper, and now lives
In the wilds of Colorado.
am doomed to stay In this SOLITARY and
lonely cavern for ages yet to come, rs apunish-
ment for the self-destruction Of my body and
human life, but at some time in the future
shall be released nom this restraint. and wan
der with the happy spirits where ! choose.
Here the spirit vanished.
To those who doubt this narrative will cay